The Need for Water

These photos clearly demonstrate the need for water that Ethiopia has. They show the dirty water, they walk miles to get as well as the relief they experience when a water point has been setup in a village.

Day 5 - School and Aklilu Mulat

Today we are going to a village that Run for Water has brought water to. Lots of people are feeling under the weather and are loading up on antibiotics. As we arrived at the village the same thing happened, the people ran to greet us. We met many children that seemed different from the ones we had met in the past. These kids now had water and it was clean! They could go to school instead of walking miles for water. We took a look inside one of the huts that they live in. 8 people live in this tiny hut. There is a place to cook and sleep and thats pretty much it. To us this seemed insane but to them this was normal and they seemed content with it. Lots of smiles all around. We next went to the school and saw a class that was in session. It was a cool experience to see how they learn English out there. We would point to our ears and they would all say, "EARS!" Really loud and with an accent. Then again with eyes, mouth, ect. We saw the many water points around the school and village that they could now get water from. Next we went to the principal of the school and gave him a soccer ball with a pump. All the kids around us were getting nosier and asking us, "ball? Football!?"

Now it was time to leave so we all got back in the trucks and set off. We went to a local hotel restaurant to get wifi to upload blog posts and photos. Then Aklilu came to meet us, he is the head director of Hope and wanted to hear about our experiences. We all went back to the resort and had dinner. We talked for hours about all of our different experiences and ideas for the future. It feels surreal that it's over now.

The trip may be over but the work and dedication to these people will be forever ingrained into my heart. I can now clearly see why Run for Water and Hope do what they do. I can also see the need that they have for people to donate time and money. Coming out here to Ethiopia has been a life-changing experience and I cannot wait to come back and share all these memories and moments with all of you.

Day 4 - Walking the Route of Muddy Waters

Woke up to baboons right outside my Hut. 2 males and 2 females with babies hanging from them. After breakfast we took some left over bananas and gave them to the baboons. They took them right out of our hands, it was crazy!

Today we again set off in the two trucks on a 2 hour expedition to a specific village Hope has been helping recently. They have capped multiple springs as well as set up water spots where people can come to get fresh clean drinking water. As we arrived at the village the word spread among the village people quickly and soon we were surrounded again. As tempting as it was to stop and take pictures with everyone we were told to keep going. We went to this one spring cap and water source and a very amazing moment happened. One man of the village wearing green rubber boots came up to the water source and drank from it. He said, "beautiful water, good water, thank you , thank you, good." This brought some to tears and made everyone realize how much these people need this and appreciate us for helping them. As we moved along to other water sources the people followed us. Crazy little kids screaming at us and laughing because they had never seen white people before. "Frenchie" is what they call white foreigners. The village outskirts reminded everyone of the shire from the Hobit. The landscape and village was truly quite amazing, and the view they have is breath taking.

As we returned to the village center everyone started to come. We took many photos and videos with the people and showing them their faces for the first time never gets old.

When we were told it was time to leave we created a moment that will be forever chariest in all of our hearts. We took out a soccer ball that we brought and all signed it. We gave it to the nurse and asked if it would be okay to play a game with the people. She threw the ball into the middle of the village and everyone went absolutely crazy! We took that as a yes. Everyone, young and old was kicking and throwing and spiking the ball whenever they had the chance. It was truly a sight to see. One person would pick it up, drop kick it and then run after it. People were running into each other and falling everywhere but all you could hear was the laughter and joy that this little ball was bringing and will continue to bring.

We left shortly after and on our way back we stopped at this side market and picked up a few baby bananas. They had citrus infused in them and tasted like orange/banana. Best fruit I've ever tasted in my life.

We went back to the resort and then shortly after left again to go to an alligator farm. We saw all types, big and small. After that we went to grab a quick bite to eat. Tomato soup in Africa is fantastic. If you ever come here and need to know what to eat, tomato soup is your new best friend.

After we finished eating we hopped back in the trucks and drove to a near by village just out of the city. We had no idea what was in store and how much all of our lives were about to be changed. I cannot write in enough detail to explain what we did and how much it changed our mind sets to get the message across but I'll try.

We got out of the trucks and Bareket and Mamush were arguing with the villagers about something. They were asking for some Jerry cans and the villagers were saying that we couldn't do it and we didn't have enough strength. What we came to do was carry empty Jerry cans to the place this village gets water, fill them up and then carry them back. The villagers doubt us tremendously, so much so that they were angry at our guides for even asking. We eventually got some Jerry Cans and set on our way. Walking 2km to the water source was quite easy and we all blindly thought it was gonna be easy both ways. When we were halfway to the water source a heard of 25-30 village kids ran towards us screaming and chanting. It was like it was out of a movie. They all surrounded us and pulled our hair, pinched us, pulled at our run for water bracelets and tried to steal from our back-packs. We continued on pushing our way through the kids. As we got to the watering hole everyone started to get a bit quieter. We really didn't know what to do or how to fill up the cans so we all awkwardly stood there in till the kids told us to go and fill up. We tried to fill up the cans from the shallow waters but soon figured out it wasn't going to work. The kids helped us out and took our cans, ran to the middle of the muddy river and filled up the can to the top. This was the most dirtiest, muddiest water I had ever seen. No human should ever touch their lips on this water. 44lbs was the weight of each Jerry Can. As we started on our way out the only way I can get the message across is that IT WAS HELL. Absolute pain. Switching from shoulder to shoulder to just straight holding it normal it was brutal. So heavy. We walked the route and we never looked back. All I could think about was getting to the end. I honestly can't even imagine how the women do this every day up mountains and way longer distances. It was a life changing experience because I gained so much respect for the people of Ethiopia and can fully see the change that NEEDS to happen here. Walking with a Jerry can 44lbs, to have the shittiest water brought back to make you and your family sick is the worst thing I've seen in a long time. When we got to the end it was the most relieving feeling ever. It also was a very emotional moment for everyone and the ride back was interesting. Everyone shared their experiences. I had a very symbolic experience:

As I was rounding the last corner and saw the Hope trucks I was thinking that those trucks and that Hope organization is the "Hope" Ethiopia has for clean water and I was walking towards the "Hope" with the dirty water they have now.

Day 3 - Rocky Road to the Cap't Spring

Ate breakfast this morning looking at the most incredible view I've ever seen. This place we are staying at is out of this world. I wish I could experience it with all of my friends and family.

We took off again, this time in two separate trucks. Started on nice paved roads and slowly progressed to harsher and more undeveloped areas. For people reading this who live in Canada the best way I can describe the landscape we are traveling would be: you are driving the Cocahala but it's all dry desert-like with lots of foreign forestry and obscure landscapes. We saw so many small villages, dry vast landscapes, farms and laborers. So many people walking the roads with different crops attached to there backs as well as water containers. We asked why it was mostly women and girls doing the work and we learned that when a man marries a woman in these villages, he pays her parents and owns her. So she does all the long travel work while he harvests the cash crop at home. They then bring the crop to the market, sell it and bring the money back to him. He does whatever he wants with the money.

Whenever the villagers would see our trucks coming they would run to the roads to smile and wave at us. Some people we waved at looked uneasy and scared and we learned that some people that live in the most remote areas have never seen white people before and think we have leprosy.

When you watch a world vision commercial you see the kids and they're so sad and sick. I know these people battle with some very hard stuff and have lots of sickness, but I've never seen happier kids. So many smiles despite the living conditions. Encouraging, eye-opening, powerful. I get shivers writing this because I know I cannot express how truly amazing these people are. They have nothing, they work hard and they carry on and smile. We made stops and took pictures with villagers in different areas and I have to say I felt like a celebrity. As soon as we stopped the truck and pulled out our cameras we would get swarmed with kids - young and old - wanting to be in the pictures and see themselves after. I turned my iPhone to the front facing camera and pointed it at the kids so they could see themselves and every single person was amazed.

As we continued on we stopped at a mountain cap that Hope has built which Run for Water has contributed to. How powerful it was to actually see hard evidence on what the Run for Water actually makes happen. Life-Changing. It's cliche but everyone can make a difference in this world, whether it's out here in Africa helping people receive their basic right to water or maintaining healthy relationships with the people around you. That is so evident here in Ethiopia, everyone is in community. A reason I think people are so happy is because they are all working together and living so closely.

We visited the camp that the Hope workers are set up at. They have several tents set up as well as a small kitchen area. They work everyday, they never stop. Their passion for these projects is mind blowing.

Meeting some of these forgotten people and the place they live has already been life changing. We are all excited to see what tomorrow has in store.

Day 2 - Transfer and a Taste of Poverty

Early wake up today to get on the truck and beat the traffic. We set off on our adventure into the depths of Africa. We past many scenic landscapes and small villages. Lots of people walking to get water, food and supplies. Lots of animals walking down the streets. Goats, horses and donkeys got in the way of our truck on a regular basis. Cute little dogs would pop up along our root. We also noticed some people in the small towns just sitting around and not doing anything. We learned that some of the people in the towns don't have much drive and end up sitting around. The majority of the people looked happy, which was very surprising. The state of the homes that people are living in is horrific. To western people's standards it would be considered "below poverty". Yet we still saw many smiling faces. It was encouraging. 5 hours into the drive we stopped for lunch. Shortly after we hit the road again, we stopped at a scenic lookout. There we met several young kids. We handed out run for water brackets and all of the kids went crazy. As we looked into the distance we could vaguely see little kids running down the hillside full speed towards us. Within the next 5 minutes we became surrounded. Phil had a bag of bracelets in his hands and was completely surrounded by children wanting more! They had never seen a rubber bracelet with writing on it before! This was the greatest gift they have ever received. Phil had to throw some bracelets away from him so he could distract the kids and get out of the mob. As the kids ran after the brackets, some fell over a little ledge and landed on their heads. This was our cue it was time to leave. Who knew rubber bracelets could bring so much excitement, conflict and greed. As we continued on our way we saw many people walking to get water. Even small villages outside of the main city had to get water from places where the water isn't clean. The vast areas we encountered on our journey started to shine a soft light on the big issue here in Ethiopia. When we reached our destination we ate dinner and went to our rooms, for we need a good sleep to take on the tasks of tomorrow.

Day 1 - Arrival and Orphanage

Yesterday was our travel day. 28 hours of travel - little to no sleep. Happy to be here in Africa! Everyone slept well last night but the time change and jet leg has everyone a little dazed. Me and Ben came back to our room after breakfast and tried to open our door but it wouldn't budge. The key was working fine but the door felt blocked. We pushed and pushed but the door wouldn't move. One of the maids came by and looked at it. I gave one more push and it opened but the side baseboard completely tore off and smashed to the ground. We are still waiting for someone to fix it.

We met up with Bereket and set off on an adventure into the mountains of Ethiopia. There were many donkeys, cows and villagers roaming the roads. We all expressed our amazement of the driver because the driving conditions were crazy. Some people smiled and waved, others do nothing and frown. We made several stops to take pictures with the little children and villagers. One point, as we were driving, two little boys started to run beside our truck. They followed us for quite awhile and then Dave decided he wanted to join in the fun. Dave ran with the kids for a bit and asked them where they sleep, and other questions to find out why they were up in the mountains by themselves. He gave them bracelets and some money. It was a special moment. We visited some churches and museums which were all very fascinating. Stopped for lunch at a local restaurant, quite tasty.

Next we went and visited a local orphanage that left many in tears. "I just want to take all of them home" we handed out bracelets, pencils, candies and hugs. Took lots of photos and all of the children were amazed to see themselves on the screen. It's one thing to see those sad commercials showing the orphan children - but actually being here, seeing it first hand, is almost an out of body experience. It's so sad to hear that almost all of the cute little kids in the orphanage had been found on the streets of Ethiopia. Their mothers who didn't want them had put them out on the street as garbage. It's overwhelming and heart wrenching to hear something like that and then to see these cute little kids. As we handed out little StarBurst candies to all the little kids, we saw each of their little faces light up as if it was Christmas morning. They were so generous too! Even though they had nothing, the little kids were sharing the little candies that they valued so dearly. If they saw a friend who didn't have one, they would spread them out to make sure everyone was happy. Then we moved into the nursery. Here we saw many orphan babies, some were crying, some were smiling. We walked around to each room and met each one. Every baby was so helpless, it broke our hearts knowing they had once been left out on the street. We went into this one room where we saw some toddlers who were walking, crawling, screaming and throwing stuffed animals around the room. One girl in specific, kept throwing a stuffed animal at us and every time we gave it back she would wind up and throw it as hard as she could at us. Not in anger but in fun. Now all the kids were getting anxious and making noise so it was time for us to leave. We said our goodbyes, took one last picture and departed.

Our next stop was a local coffee shop, where we enjoyed several hot beverages as well as some milkshakes. After that we went back to our hotel, had dinner a little bit later and our first day was over.